New DHS tech requirements aim to save Safecom

The Homeland Security Department late last month released technical requirements for future public-safety wireless communications and interoperability.

The document, created by DHS' Science and Technology Directorate, is the latest attempt to get the troubled Project Safecom back on track.

Shifted from team to team, the project has failed to make much progress coordinating public-safety comm in the past 2 1/2 years.

The delays prompted a recent negative General Accounting Office report. DHS largely agreed with GAO's assessment and the recommendation that project managers need to forge written agreements among the federal, state and local partners.

The document notes that DHS hopes it will encourage industry to mesh their R&D with public-safety needs.